Parabuteo unicinctus (Harris hawk)

Parabuteo unicinctus (common name: Harris hawk)

This particular hawk has the habit of creating a "hood" over its pray, something it readily did after getting its reward for a nice flight during which it managed to catch its bate in mid-air. The purpose of this "hood" is to hide the pray from its competitors which may otherwise decide to go for it, since the small size of the hawk permits this kind of thoughts.  

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
 
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED D @ 200 mm.
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/2000 sec, f/4 Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized.

Parabuteo unicinctus (Harris hawk)

Far smaller than the vulture, the hawk needs far more attention to keep in focus. Apart from that, its flight is far more nervous and fast which doubles the problem. I wouldn't recommend anything below 1/2000 sec to capture this bird in mid flight and still you will need a lot of luck. The settings were the same as for the vulture above. A very beautiful bird, a true hunter, this hawk will amaze any serious bird lover. The only animal which is more majestic and efficient in the air is the eagle.

Photos by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

1. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED D @ 200 mm .
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/4000 sec - f/2.8, manual mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/FP mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized.

2. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED D @ 155 mm .
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/4000 sec - f/2.8, manual mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/FP mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized.

3. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED D @ 170 mm .
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/4000 sec - f/2.8, manual mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/FP mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized.

4. Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Nikkor AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED D @ 200 mm .
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/4000 sec - f/2.8, manual mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL/FP mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized.